Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38136/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Revenue Commissioners have primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs intended to be smuggled or illegally imported into the State. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they place particular emphasis on developing their intelligence base through a strong risk analysis focus at national and regional level and by deploying their resources to areas of highest risk.

To assist in its drugs enforcement intelligence and operational development at international level Revenue has assigned a Europol Liaison Officer to Europol Headquarters, a Revenue attaché in London and a Country Liaison Officer to the Maritime Operations and Analysis Centre – Narcotics in Lisbon. Officers from Revenue’s Customs Drug Law Enforcement Unit also liaise nationally and internationally with other law enforcement agencies to prevent, detect and intercept drugs destined for European and Irish markets and implement intelligence-led joint Revenue and law enforcement operations at European, national and regional level. At national level Revenue has signed over forty-three Memoranda of Understanding with various groups and organisations involved in the maritime sector and with international travel and trade service providers.

Revenue’s Drugswatch Programme assists in the monitoring of our coastline and airfields through its coastal and airfield reporting mechanism. This allows members of the public, including maritime communities etc., to notify in confidence suspect and/or unusual movements at sea or around the coast directly or through the Drugswatch Freefone. Revenue have permanent staff based at strategic locations and ports throughout the country. Also Revenue officers patrol the coastline including the harbours and piers. These patrols are selective and targeted and based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators.

In terms of maritime surveillance there are currently two Revenue Cutters in service and these support Revenue’s teams of land-based enforcement officers involved in anti-smuggling duties. These Cutters are deployed to cover high risk/threat areas along the coastline and by their nature the timing and location of surveillance patrols are confidential. Additionally, Revenue officers, as part of the Joint Task Force on Drugs Interdiction continue to work proactively with the assistance of the Irish Naval Service and Aer Corps and engage in maritime surveillance and operations aimed at identifying, monitoring and intercepting vessels suspected of drug smuggling. As part of the task force, nation-wide liaison at national and local level between nominated Revenue and Garda officers takes place to exchange information and to pool intelligence on drugs smuggling.

This pooling of intelligence between the agencies at national and international level accords with best worldwide practice and enhances the focus on counteracting drug trafficking and the dismantling of drug organisations. To date, operations involving the enforcement agencies have proved successful in the detection of drugs and the successful prosecution of the smugglers and the Revenue Commissioners are satisfied that the current arrangements for maritime and coastal surveillance are sufficient and effective.